MAVERICKLake was ripped.He was ripped everywhere, skin tight over those pure muscles, veins bulging in those arms. His body seemed made of concrete, and his six-pack abs were worth drooling for.Hours and hours of weightlifting, running on the treadmill, and punching and kicking bags were worth it. Lake was really the hottest and sexiest man I’d ever met.My heart almost gave up in my ribcage when he grabbed me by my ankles, spread my legs wide, and then started planting kisses on my skin.He barely started, and I was already biting my bottom lip, gripping the sheets to stifle my moan. I only had two boyfriends. My experience in bed was nothing compared to him.Lake was notorious in bed compared to my exes. When he kissed and nipped my inner thigh, I began squirming, squeezing my eyes shut.My body contracted, my skin was on fire, and I was panting, waiting for him, for his mouth and tongue where I ached the most, but it didn’t happen. He was staring at me when I cracked my eyes ope
MAVERICK“I did not forget, but I’m clean.” Of course. It was in the agreement— the STI testing.“So do I, and I’m on a pill, but I guess you know that already.” I instantly remembered what his mother told me. I pushed that thought out of my head and kissed him.He smiled against my lips. “How long it has been?”“Months.”I sucked in a breath as he nudged, teased me, rubbed the head against my clit, and pushed his head through my folds.I cried out. My eyes widened as he invaded me and slid and buried his cock deep into me.“Fuck. You’re tight, baby.” He pulled out, and I suddenly felt empty. “I don’t wanna hurt you.”“Only my ego if you won’t be inside me in two seconds.” I felt no awkward moments between us. It felt like we’d been doing this for a long time. Considering I let him take me without a condom, I had put my trust in this man because I knew he would keep his word.He chuckled, wrapped his arms around me, and rolled us over. “Take the charge. I trust you not to break my dic
LAKEI looked down at my sleeping wife, looking so gorgeous. She didn’t make it to finish whatever she was reading.After our mind-blowing sex, we cuddled and talked for a few minutes until she began yawning. And then I kissed her goodnight.Maverick was fantastic in bed and apparently sassy. I couldn’t help but smile. Never in a million years had I dreamed of being married at twenty-six.After sex, I was always quick to get off the bed and bolt out, but this time was different. The sex was different, even better than I expected. No awkwardness or something.I slid off her bed and went to use her bathroom. I checked her medicine cabinet to see if she was using pills. As always, she was telling the truth. I returned to bed, pulled her into my arms, and kissed her shoulder.“Goodnight, baby.” I felt sleepy right away.I woke up before her alarm went off, feeling a heaviness on my thigh and abdomen. The sweetest smell flooded my senses. Then I remembered I was in her bed, and we slept to
LAKE“First and foremost, it’s never okay to bully someone regardless of status, gender, and age. It won’t only humiliate someone but hurt them emotionally, destroying their self-esteem. And you should not poke fun at someone working hard to make ends meet. It’s a job, a decent job. Imagine this—the world without our workers. Two days ago, someone taught me an important lesson. No one is above anyone else. We’re all equal in this world.” I took a deep breath.“Now, let’s go back to the video circulating online. These individuals mentioned stealing someone’s boyfriend and vandalizing a car using obscene words. I don’t want to mention the names of those who are involved. You know who you are. You may apologize or not. I don’t care anymore.”I felt I wasn’t alone anymore.“I’m addressing this issue because I’m somehow involved, and someone I care about dearly is a victim of harassment. These individuals crossed the wrong person. At this moment, I’m choosing kindness, so I’m not pressing
MAVERICKI went home early after my work at the Bazz because it looked like this relationship was one-sided.Lake was the one making all the efforts and adjustments, while all I did was school and work. Maybe that was why my ex dumped me because I wasn’t generous with my time.We just had dinner together, and he called the restaurant to bring the food when I could cook something for us. Lake made me feel guilty, even if it was unintentional.He went to his home office to work, and the guys went down, leaving the penthouse for the two of us. I put on some cute and sexy lingerie inside my baggy shirt, and then I knocked on the door.“Come in.”“What is it?” His focus remained on the long and wide spreadsheet on the desk.“Wow. That’s pretty big money.”“Beautiful.” He lifted his gaze and smiled even if he looked tired. “I thought you were OB.”“They left, and I told them I let you know,” I said as I locked the door and waltzed inside. His home office was minimalist, with no pictures or
LAKEI uploaded the video I made on my social media accounts and posted pictures of us in the city hall and during my volunteer that Owen and Homer took. It received a lot of buzz and likes, but I was not up for it. I’d still like to keep my private life private, but I was just proud of Maverick and to be in a relationship with her. Owen was right. I had changed a lot since my marriage.I hadn’t told my dad about it. I didn’t give a damn about his opinion anymore if he didn’t like the idea of me marrying a working-class woman. I liked Maverick, and that was enough for me.I read some comments. Venus was right. People were crucifying me online for being a cheat.“Stupid people.”“Whoa. What’s wrong?”I lifted my gaze from my phone screen. “What are you doing here?”Striker took a seat. As the CEO of Hover, he was respected around here. “That was quite a relationship soft launch.”“You mean hard launch. Is that why you’re here, cuz?”He laughed. He and London were inseparable. Sometimes
LAKE“Before you throw questions, if I let her sign a hundred pages of prenup, yes, it’s ironclad with NDA and agreement. Anything else?”“You could have asked for my opinion before you married that woman.”“That woman has a name, and she’s my wife.” My anger was giving me a headache. I breathed deeply before I could throw curses at my father. “I don’t need anyone’s opinion to choose a woman for me, Dad. Since when did I ask for your opinion of the woman I wanted to sleep with?”“Lake Archer!”“You’re criticizing my decision because of her job. And she doesn’t come from a prominent figure. Well, like I told you, I’m not divorcing her.”“Then you just lost your chance.”“I don’t care. Put Stoll in that position. If you want me to resign as COO, just let me know. You’ll have my resignation.”“You disrespectful brat.”“Bye, father. Good luck.” I hang up the call. Yes, I hang up on him. I was so done with him belittling me, manipulating me, and controlling me. He could have promoted me wi
MAVERICKI knew something wasn’t right when he walked into the kitchen. We may have only known for a few weeks, but Lake was a ray of sunshine. But not tonight, though. He seemed to have carried the whole world on his shoulder, and I had a feeling that it had something to do with his announcement.And that kiss— it was something— deep and meaningful as if he was pouring out all his emotions, wearing his heart on his sleeves.“He can fuck with it.” He was mad. I could see it in the way his body was tense.“Maybe you should care about his opinion.”“Says the woman who doesn’t want to know about her father.”Okay, this conversation was getting out of hand. “That’s a different story. My father hasn’t been there for me since birth. Your father, on the other hand—”“He doesn’t like you!”I opened my mouth to say something, but my brain went blank for a moment.“Wallace always gets what he wants, and I’m not giving it to him this time.”I chuckled bitterly. “What could I possibly expect from
TERZOThe thick wooden doubled-door swung open to my father’s office. It was one of the biggest rooms in the house where business was discussed and where the most secured safe and panic room were situated, where he kept his most valuables.I was assaulted by the scents of cedar wood and expensive cigars hung thick in the air.I let go of a shuddering breath as I stepped inside. Gaetano Siciliano, the patriarch of the family, the Don— one of the most powerful and feared heads of the mafias in Italian history— my father was sitting in his chair before his massive desk. His thick brows knitted together, hanging low over his dark caramel eyes and gray hair cut stylishly. In his sixties, he was still fit, strong, and could beat me in the ring if he desired to, but he always humbly said his prime was over.“Figlio.”“Come va, papa?”Papa nodded in acknowledgment. “Come in. How’s your sister?”Standing in the left corner that caught my eye was Celestina, my other beautiful sister who had bee
MAVERICKI smiled as we finally had time for each other. Atlas just fell asleep.Lake cupped my face and traced my lips with his thumb. “Thank you for making me complete, the happiest man on this planet, and for being my wife.”My heart exploded with his words with so much joy. “Ditto. Now, no more talking. Just get rid of your clothes.”He held his laugh, shaking his head as we began taking our clothes off. There was nothing much to strip off. I was in my sexy red lingerie, and he was in his pants.To be honest, our only problem was our time for both of us— most of the time while we were naked in bed, Atlas began waking up and started to cry.“I love you, baby.”I parted my lips as I watched the desire flicker in his eyes. He then dipped down, tagging my bottom lip between his teeth. He groaned as he pressed his hard cock against my lower belly and then cupped my ass as he finally captured my mouth in a passionate kiss, gliding his tongue inside, dominating me.Moaning, I instantly w
MAVERICKEight months later, Southampton I had a teary-eyed earlier as Cooper carried the precious angel I’d never thought I could love beyond anything in this world. He was five months old today and became the center of our universe. He was our ringbearer, and everyone, oh and ah, as he put on a cute little suit, while Nana and Beatreigh had been giggling since I walked down the aisle with my father, Gaetano.Like what he promised to my husband when Lake asked for the blessings he would be here, my friends and family, everyone I loved, including Terzo and Celestina. Lake did his luck inviting my mother. Surprisingly, she was here alone.“What’s in your head, baby?” the most handsome groom I’d ever seen smiled. He still took my breath away when he did that.After all these years of finding my perfect one, he came to me at the right time, even for the wrong reason.Then, our whole universe, Atlas Sawyer Bates Winston, came into our world, adding more colors to our lives. Sawyer was my
LAKE“Oh, my God!” My mother was the first to react, seeing the golf ball pop into blue smoke as soon as my uncle executed a stroke.“I knew it. Look at her abdomen,” Augustine said to my mother.“I told you, remember?” Mom seemed to find a new good friend in Augustine. They went to coffee or shopping together and sometimes baked at home. I was glad they got along so well. They were going to be excellent guides in raising our child.When we held our gender reveal party, Maverick was already six months pregnant. It was worth the wait. Everyone was here— our families, close friends, her friends from the Bazz, and, of course, our extended family.“You should promote my baby products, Maverick.”Amused, I shook my head at Estelle. “Give my wife a break.”“You’re the one who’s not giving her a break,” London replied. “She’s going to wear LH maternity dress for the photoshoots.“Congratulations, cuz.” Striker came to me.“Thanks.” We hugged each other.“Are you ready to be a father?”“I don
MAVERICK“Whoa. Why the long face?” I shoved a spoonful of butter pecan ice cream into my mouth as I watched Lake’s face seemingly in deep, miserable thoughts. “Babe?”“Yeah?” He looked at me, looking guilty.“Did you just cheat on me in that four hours?”“Baby, why do you always think like that?”“Lake, cheating doesn’t only mean you’re sleeping or kissing the other woman. Could be lying, keeping something important from me.”“I know.” He rose from the chair to join me on the couch. Then he pulled me close to him so he could hug me. “You like that?”“Yeah. You want some?” I scooped and offered, but he shook his head.“I want to tell you something.” I could feel the heaviness of guilt in his voice. Whatever he was about to say, I was sure he had reasons.“Shoot.”“I went to Nana.” It lightened up my chest when he called my grandmother Nana. One time, when he talked about my father, he called him Papa even though I still called Gaetano by his name.“And?” I met his gaze.“Your mother w
LAKE“She did not ruin your life. You ruined your own life by sleeping with the most dangerous man,” Augustine spat her anger out.I felt her anger towards her daughter was decades long, and she just had time to let it out of her chest.“You were only eighteen,” she added. “I had high hopes for you, but you disappointed your father. You were reckless and stupid and slept with a married man. You didn’t even know what care and love meant, and after you were gone for months, you came to me five months pregnant. Don’t blame your miserable life and poor choices on the poor, innocent child. She’s been through enough and all of that because you caused her so much pain.”“What do you want from my wife, Florence?”She lifted her chin. “I just wanted to meet her.”“Why now? Why not before when she didn’t have a mother at her first school recital? On her first time having a period? I’m your last to get out of here without being dragged into a van. Terzo is still in town, Florence.”She blinked t
LAKE“Are you okay?” I glanced down at Maverick working on her tan beside the pool.She looked pretty satisfied and comfortable in her yellow two-piece swimsuit and sunglasses, which shielded her eyes from the blazing sun.“Why do you keep asking me that?” She slightly lifted her chin.“Did you put enough sunscreen on?” I wanted to see her eyes but was disappointed that she kept her sunglasses on.“Don’t worry. I need more Vitamin D.” She strolled her gaze at me.“My Vitamin D isn’t enough for you?”When she saw me smirking, she slightly tipped her head down, glaring. “Not everything is about your dick, Lake. Going somewhere?”“Yeah. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”“A date?”“Yes, Maverick. I have a date. You might as well put Airtag on me.”“Can you buy butter pecan ice cream for me?”“Of course. Anything else?”“Bring your cock back untouched.”I laughed, making her frown. “My cock is exclusively yours, baby.” I bent down to cup her face and kissed her on the lips. “I promise yo
MAVERICK“Linden made fun of me. He sent me every copy of the books he read while Estelle had their first baby, Gabrielle. I’m done reading the first two books.”“Is that why you’re so calmer than me because of these books?”“You may be stubborn, but when it comes to our unborn child, you’re very responsible. Hence, we never argued about it. We most argued about money and my spending on you.”“I did not tell you that I love the ring.” I raised my hand. It was a Marquise cut, the same size as my first engagement ring.“Thank you, baby. I have good taste, you know.” I found some meaning in his words.“I bet.”Once he was done eating, he went to a small fridge and brought two bottled water. He opened one and gave it to me.“Thank you.” I drank it.“Can you stay a little longer?”“Why? Isn’t a chairman and CEO has a lot of work to do?”“That can wait.” He stood before me, cupped my head, and kissed me hard.My hands came to his arms, gripping them as he deepened the kiss and shoved his to
MAVERICKWe finally found out the gender of our baby this morning. I could see the joy in Lake’s eyes as the doctor told us. He was excited and couldn’t wait to meet our baby. He was even teary-eyed as he kissed my tummy.One thing he assured me was that he didn’t care about either a boy or a girl as long as our child was healthy, and I couldn’t agree more.On the other hand, I was a little bit scared of a lot of things, including labor and the pressure of being a first-time mother.I was still astounded at how lucky I was to be his wife. Aside from being overprotective and bossy, he was also thoughtful and loving.After Beatreigh, Nana, and I visited a bridal boutique, we had a late lunch, and then I decided to pay a visit to my husband, who was never invited to the Chairman and CEO’s office. The last time I planned on walking into this building was my confrontation with Wallace, but it didn’t happen.So, I thought I would surprise Lake.I knocked on his office door when Venus told m